About Sonia (continued) 
Sonia Nelson, M.F.A. has a longstanding passion for theater. She earned a Bachelor's
Degree in Business Management with a minor in Theatre Arts from San Diego State University.
She worked in public relations and marketing for various theatre organizations such as the
Tony Award Winning La Jolla Playhouse and Broadway San Diego. Facing a shortage of growth
opportunities and type casting as an actress of color, she then forged a new path by
helping launch a successful waterproof electronics startup company. Working with
entrepreneurs afforded her experiences from finance to human resource management,
with emphasis on data management. Her desire to use this business acumen to support
artists and arts organizations drew her to Seattle University, where she earned her
MFA in Arts Leadership. Her summary thesis, Advancing Racial Equity in the Arts,
earned her the "I Can Make a Difference Social Justice Award" from program faculty
and peers. She is also a member of Americans for the Arts and is active with the
Seattle Art Leadership Team (SALT) through the Office of Arts and Culture. Sonia
brings her analytical mind and data skills to MEMconsultants. In her spare time,
she loves nature walks and blogging about her crochet projects.